Colston restructures his contract

this is a discussion within the Saints Community Forum; Originally Posted by FinSaint
Every single player wants a restructure, because when base salary is turned into a prorated signing bonus - the player immediately gets that bonus on his bank account.
They're not getting pay cuts, but a big ...

Every single player wants a restructure, because when base salary is turned into a prorated signing bonus - the player immediately gets that bonus on his bank account.

They're not getting pay cuts, but a big part of their future salary is being paid to them right now instead of waiting for it and possibly never getting all of it, since not all base salary is guaranteed.

Exactly. Restructuring is always a good thing for the player. The front office would rather avoid it and if necessary only do it with players that they expect to be around for the life of the contract because if the player is cut the cap is hit with the entire prorated amount at one time.

Player gets the same money that's due him the next two years, and maybe some sweet front money in the form of a signing bonus, but now the CAP hit gets spread across the NEW 4 year deal at a lesser amount this season and next season. If the team gets an extra 2.5 to play with, that's a lot, especially if they can do that 10 times.

Going to be a few lean years coming up when this teams is done.
To me it looks like this main core of players will be allowed to play out most of their last few years together then they will be cut/retire around the same time and a new team will be built.

Going to be a few lean years coming up when this teams is done.
To me it looks like this main core of players will be allowed to play out most of their last few years together then they will be cut/retire around the same time and a new team will be built.

Could be, but then again, there are some big contracts that'll be off the books in a year's time or sooner - Smith, Vilma, and Harper to name a few - and that coupled with potentially a rising salary cap in the coming years will allow the Saints to keep the "window" open for a longer period of time.

If the Saints can start having excellent drafts, coupled with the excellent job they've done with the UDFAs, the "window" doesn't ever have to close because rookies are so much more affordable now under the new CBA. Then fill the few holes left with intelligently chosen FAs from other teams while staying away from those who'll have an inflated price-tag, and fight the tendency to give big contracts to own veteran players when their contracts are up.

Another thing is that a team/organization can do a lot of things that go along way into being a successful franchise with the right personnel decisions, especially when it comes to the coaches. And those maneuvers don't affect the salary cap one way or the other, so as long as Mr. Benson is willing to pay for talent on the other side of the ball; the Saints can succeed without having the best players in the league. They need the right coaches to develop the talent they have and to create systems that'll place the players in situations where they are most likely to shine. Not forgetting scouting, strength & conditioning, etc.

"I don't think I'll be thinking at all. I think I'm just gonna go out there and play my balls out" - Martez Wilson | "I'm not bashing people, I'm bashing their opinions because in my opinion their opinion is wrong" - Danno

We need cap room now so we convert 8 million of his 2013 base salary to bonus money, which you can spread out over the 5 years.

AFTER
2013 2 million + 3.6 million = 5.6 million cap hit (Cap savings 6.4 million)
2014 10 million + 3.6 million = 13.6 million
2015 10 million + 3.6 million = 13.6 million
2016 10 million + 3.6 million = 13.6 million
2017 10 million + 3.6 million = 13.6 million

You’re still paying the guy the same amount over 5 years, you’ve just giving him an advance because bonus money goes into his account the day he signs the contract. The downside being the cap hit for future years goes up.

We need cap room now so we convert 8 million of his 2013 base salary to bonus money, which you can spread out over the 5 years.

AFTER
2013 2 million + 3.6 million = 5.6 million cap hit (Cap savings 6.4 million)
2014 10 million + 3.6 million = 13.6 million
2015 10 million + 3.6 million = 13.6 million
2016 10 million + 3.6 million = 13.6 million
2017 10 million + 3.6 million = 13.6 million

You’re still paying the guy the same amount over 5 years, you’ve just giving him an advance because bonus money goes into his account the day he signs the contract. The downside being the cap hit for future years goes up.

Thanks but I'm even more confused. So he does make less money this year but he is promised more the next - as long as he doesn't get hurt? I don't see why if I was a player I would want to restructure. I thought it was all about getting paid now before the possibility of injury?